|
Vatnajokull, one of the largest glacier masses in Europe, is a picture of nature in its formidable state. Located in the south eastern region of Iceland, Vatnajokull speaks of an expansive sheet of ice that covers an area of around 8100 km2 with the average thickness ranging from 400-500m. Lying on a highland the ice cap reaches a general altitude of 600 to 800meters.This realm of white is intersected with numerous sub-glacial valleys which gives it a charming and intriguing appearance.
Boundaries of the tectonic plates go through Vatnajokull and therefore there are active volcanoes and geothermal heat suppressed underneath this glacial mass. There are 7 volcanoes under Vatnajokull, most of which are active today. The heavy stillness of the landscape thus contains within it the seeds of massive destruction.
The place is subjected to glacial meet floods when the volcanic heat melts parts of the underlying areas of the glacier. The southern region of Vatnajokull tilts southwards from Skaftafell National Park and outwards towards the Atlantic coasts. Skaftafell thus envelopes one of the phenomenal output of raw natural beauty.
The Ice cap is unnerving but not unreachable. W.L Watts and his men were the first people in the modern times to cross Vatnajokull. Today researcher, mountaineers and travelers have found a keen interest to explore this white, slow-moving ice ocean. The rocky outcrops of Vatnajokull have 4 huts.
Radio-echo depth soundings have been directed towards Vatnajokull for many years and gradually a complete view of the world underlying the glacier is coming out.
The mighty and stark beauty of the glacial landscape emanates a sense of awe and one can feel the essence of the impregnable rule of the undisputed monarch of the region- ice. Vatnajokull therefore, with it beauty and magnificence has created a name for itself in the world of glaciers on Earth.
|
